Revealing new species of pine in Vietnam, the whole world is unknown

Vietnamese scientists have discovered a new species of pine, never known in the world.

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The discovery will be published in the upcoming issue of the Nordic issue of the journal Plant. Accordingly, the new pine species bears the full name Pinus cernua LK Phan ex Aver., KS Nguyen & TH Nguyen sp. nov., is a species of five-leaf pine that grows in Xuan Nha - Son La Nature Reserve.

Through 5 leaves and their mature female hats - (Photo: Nguyen Sinh Khang)

This species was previously misidentified as Chinese white pine (Pinus armandii) or Hainanese white pine (Pinus fenzeliana).

Recently, Vietnamese, Russian and Lao botanists have collected more specimens of this species in Hua Phan Province (Houaphan) - Laos (the area bordering Son La province), and this is the scientific evidence Learn for the botanists to re-name this species.

The temporary scientists call this pine species a 5-leafed pine tree because of the long branches and coniferous characteristics. This is also the characteristic that creates their own beauty.

The distribution area of ​​the 5-leafed pine is steep cliffs - (Photo: Nguyen Sinh Khang)

The 5-leaf pine leaves grow on steep cliffs of mixed forests where the altitude is 1,000-1,500m above sea level. They often grow together with other pine species such as pomu, pine, and bamboo.

According to scientists, the distribution area of ​​Pinus cernua is very narrow, estimated to be less than 80 km ² . In addition, the life cycle to create a new generation of this species is estimated to be about 50 years; and around that time about 25% of the population was destroyed.

In addition, the causes of loss of living habitats are also a major threat to them. Therefore, the 5 leaves of the leaves are recommended to be Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN international standards.

Pinus cernua pine has a height of 20-30m, sometimes as high as 35m, trunk diameter from 0.4-0.8m, sometimes up to 1 m. Needle-leaf beam consists of 5 leaves, 15-20cm long. Conical the egg-shaped, solitary or concentrated from 2-6 cones, when mature has a height of 8-11cm, 5-7cm diameter.

The distribution area of ​​this species has been known in Son La province of Vietnam, but they are more common in Hua Phan province of Laos, Pha Luong mountain area, border with Son La. In addition, they can also be found in Hainan in China.

At present, Vietnam has about 34 species of natural pine species, including many rare and endangered species, which need to be protected, such as 5 leaves, pine trees (Glyptostrobus pensilis) in Dak Lak, golden cypress vietnamese (Xanthocyparis vietnamensis) in Ha Giang or red pine (Taxus wallichiana) .